What is Body Contouring?
Posted September 28, 2017
Post Weight Loss Body Contouring in Pittsburgh
If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, you know how much of an accomplishment it is to finally shed those last few pounds. Stepping onto the scale at your goal weight is an amazing feeling, but sometimes you may not be satisfied with how you look. This can come as a complete shock to some people, as they expect their magic number to accurately be reflected in the mirror. If you’re having trouble with excess sagging skin or persistent fat in some areas post weight loss, body contouring can help improve your appearance.
What is Body Contouring?
Body contouring is becoming an increasingly popular post weight loss surgery, with its popularity peaking in summer 2017. Its purpose is to remove excess sagging skin and fat to improve a patient’s body shape. Even though you may have lost a significant amount of weight, your appearance may not be the same due to loss of elasticity of the skin.
Body contouring surgery can be applied to numerous areas of the body, including:
- Facial contouring, which helps correct sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck—giving you a fresher appearance.
- Breast lift, will lift flattened, sagging breasts, giving them a more natural, full appearance
- Tummy tuck, addresses the apron of excess sagging skin that hangs from the abdomen which results in a tighter, flatter belly.
- Medial thigh lift, which addresses the sagging of the inner thigh for a tight, smoother appearance.
- Arm lift, helps the sagging of the upper arms, correcting the batwing appearance.
Whether you need one or several areas addressed after weight loss, Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa can help restore your body so you look as good as you feel.
Learning More About Popular Body Contouring Procedures
Many patients come to Bellissimo every year to address post weight loss issues. Some of the most popular procedures include the following:
Struggling with Lower Belly Pooch? Tummy Tucks Take Care of That
Lower belly pooches can make your pants fit awkwardly and cause muffin top. An abdominoplasty, which is also known as a tummy tuck, is a common procedure that tightens the abdominal wall, removes excess skin, and results in a flatter, tighter appearing belly.
A tummy tuck is an outpatient surgery, which is similar to breast surgery and liposuction. A body contouring plastic surgeon will essentially redesign the abdominal wall and remove inelastic skin, as well as tighten the muscles.
After surgery, tummy tucks require approximately 10 days-2 weeks off of work and 3 weeks off of exercise. Drains are used to remove fluids for 1-2 weeks, and patients typically wear a supportive binder for 3 weeks. Patients may typically resume normal activity within 3 weeks.
A Lower Body Lift Gives a Tight and Trim Appearance
If you’re struggling with the appearance of your lower body, a body contouring plastic surgeon will address your mid and lower body by removing excess skin and unwanted fat. This is removed from areas including the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, and buttocks. It’s a tummy tuck combined with a buttocks lift, which is done to help correct the effect of dramatic weight loss.
The lower body lift is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, taking around 4 hours to complete. Patients are required to wear an abdominal binder home with 2 surgical drains for the buttocks. These are removed within 2-3 weeks, and patients may return to work within 2 weeks and exercise by week 3 post-op.
Restore Your Entire Body with Body Lift After Weight Loss Surgery
For those who have lost dramatic amounts of weight after weight loss surgery, a body lift with a board certified plastic surgeon is a results-driven procedure to restore confidence. This procedure gives authentic results while improving appearance.
Whether you have lost large amounts of weight from surgery or exercise, the excess skin can cause problems or issues with clothing options, rashes and skin infection. Sagging skin can make exercise difficult, and you may even have to size up in clothes so they can properly fit your body.
If you’re simply not comfortable in your skin, a body lift combines multiple procedures to correct excessive skin on the abdominal wall and improve areas such as breasts, buttocks, arms, thighs, and neck. Dr. Antimarino does this in stages, not as a single operation, to minimize risks while achieving your desired goals.
Consider the Mommy Makeover
Postpartum plastic surgery is also gaining attention, especially considering the toll that it takes on a woman’s body. One of the problems is the excess stretching of abdominal muscles during pregnancy. It’s extremely difficult—if not impossible—to regain the same shape and structure to the abdominal wall after having kids. Separation of abdominal muscles is another issue after childbirth.
A tummy tuck helps restore this area of the body to its pre-pregnancy state. A board-certified plastic surgeon brings the ab muscles back together as if you’re wearing an internal corset and can remove the excess skin that may result from pregnancy.
Breasts are also addressed during a mommy makeover, which can shrink, lose their shape, or simply sag. Postpartum women turn to procedures for correction such as implants, a breast lift, or both.
Are You a Candidate for Body Contouring Surgery?
If you’re wondering if you qualify for body contouring surgery, here are a few thoughts to consider:
If you have lost a significant amount of weight and your weight loss has stabilized, body contouring surgery may be the right option for you:
- You don’t have medical conditions that will cause setbacks in healing, or increase risk of injury
- You don’t smoke
- You have a positive outlook on your body with realistic goals
- You are committed to a healthy lifestyle, eat healthy and exercise often
What is the Cost of Body Contouring?
Body contouring is an aesthetic procedure, and many patients are concerned about body contouring cost.
When it comes down to pricing, it will vary due to experience, type of procedures used, and geographical location.
The following factors also play a role in body contouring cost:
- Anesthesia fees
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Medical tests
- Post-surgery garments
- Prescriptions for medication
- Surgeon’s fee
If you’re ready to feel comfortable in your skin again, Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa can help. We understand that you have questions, and there is a lot of helpful information here at Realself to get you started. Contact us now to schedule an appointment in Pittsburgh with our board-certified plastic surgeon. We specialize in post weight loss body contouring in Pittsburgh and help empower women all throughout the area.
Bellissimo Plastic Surgery offers body procedures such as body contouring and post-weight loss surgery in Pittsburgh. With locations in Shadyside, Monroeville, Cranberry, Robinson, and Greensburg, it’s easy to schedule an appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Antimarino. He has been nominated one of Pittsburgh’s best plastic surgeons. He has also been ranked as a Top 500 Influencer (and most trusted doctor) in Plastic Surgery by RealSelf.
